Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Receiver vs preamp, amp combo….

In the next few weeks I am going to be purchasing an epic 60 system with a vp150 center channel.. I currently have an onkyo ts-dx575x receiver, and some JBL separates the small cube Bose type… I realized that my current set up was not what I wanted anymore. And like many of you I’m sure, and my research lead me here… so now that I have decided what speakers to get, I must now decide if I am going to keep my current receiver… I am thinking that I would like a preamp and amp.. So, with that in mind, what would some brands be that you would recommend… I was looking at the outlaw stuff, and reading some reviews here on this forum about the outlaw products as well on the net in general, and they seem to be the most bang for the buck… but, would I gain anything? My current receiver is 75w X 5 and like I said before in an onkyo product.. I like it… but I don’t know, maybe im just ready for change? What are your ideas?…


I hope I have made my question clear, thanks for all of your help!

dakkon,

I have an Onkyo TX-DS575 (same as your tx-ds575x except mine doesn't support s-video). I think it sounds great with my Axiom M22s and VP100. It is capable of driving my speakers to ear-splitting levels without clipping. It will be able to drive your epic 60 system very well.

That being said, the receiver is starting to show its age. It doesn't have a lot of features that are starting to become standard (such as component video and Dolby ProLogic II). I guess my point is that you don't need to upgrade the receiver because of power requirements, but you may want to do it to gain additional features.

dakkon: Once you go seperates you will never go back or want to go back to receivers, and Outlaw Audio is a great "bang for your buck" way to go.

Rotel is another great company for getting into separates. Their RSP-1066 processor has just been replaced by the new RSP-1068. If you're open to buying used, you could probably find a great deal on the 1066 now. Their 5 channel RB-1075 amp shows up on occassion on Ebay and Audiogon as well. Most amps are built like tanks, so buying a used amp is generally a really good way to save some dough, without fear of it failing.

Used, you could probably pickup an RSP-1066 & RB-0175 for $1500-1600 complete. That's a hell of a deal.

I'd definitely second Spiffnme's recommendation for the Rotel gear - good value with their equipment. Another cheap option is to add a good receiver like the Yamaha RX-V1400. This will give you a processor at <$1000 - with all of the options that any $5000 processor will have (and in most cases a lot more features). Pair that with a good quality amp like Anthem MCA Series or Sherbourn 5/5210 or the Rotel as Spiffnme suggested. That'll give you a great setup that you can enjoy for years and won't cost you an arm-and-a-leg to upgrade the pro a year or two down the road.

thanks for the advice guys... really appreciat it!